HRNS 239b: Spring, 2009
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPY OF JEWISH
PHILANTHROPY AND FUNDRAISING
INSTRUCTOR: David A. Mersky
CLASS MEETINGS: Mondays, 9:10 AM – 12:00 PM
In this course, we utilize classical texts to illuminate the history and values of tzedakah
and to explore different written, oral, audio-visual and multi-media presentation
techniques employed in the contemporary Jewish communal setting. Students will learn
how to bring enduring Jewish values to bear upon the different tasks involved in the
process of fundraising and development in Jewish organizational life. Readings, oral and
written presentations, and active class participation are integral to the successful
completion of this course.
The grade for the course will consist of the following:
Class participation: (20%)
Demonstrating that you have read the assigned material, you should actively engage in
the discussions relating to the texts presented during the class sessions. During the first
class session, groups will be formed for the purpose of the group assignments referred to
below. Additionally, each group will be assigned responsibility for one of the four
substantive areas
• Why Must One Give Tzedakah
• How Should One Give
• How Much Is One Obligated To Give
• The Role and Responsibilities of the Solicitor.
Each group will then break into pairs. Each pair will then take responsibility for the
facilitation of a thirty minute class discussion of a text representative of the relevant
substantive area.
Classmates will participate in oral evaluations of the facilitation.
Individual Presentations: (30%)
1. In a memorandum addressed to the CEO of a Jewish communal agency that embodies a
classic Jewish value, you will justify the development of a training program—either for
donors or for solicitors. The memorandum should identify a single clear-cut objective
for the program as well as a sequencing of interim steps to accomplish achievable
outcomes, the resources required to fulfill the objective and the process by which you
intend to plan the program and engage the “audience.” The memorandum is due on
February 9.
2. You will write and orally deliver a 3 minute d’var torah based on a text that
exemplifies either why one must give, how to give, how much to give, or the role and
responsibility of the solicitor. You should use classical texts to illustrate your point.
A written text of your presentation will be due on Maarch 2 to be shared with the
entire class via email and hardcopy when oral presentations and discussion are
scheduled. Written evaluations will be provided by classmates.
Group Presentations: (50%)
3. In a small group that will be formed during the first week of the semester, you will
prepare a one-on-one briefing for a committee chairperson so that s/he can lead a
committee meeting that is designed to plan the training programs of which you have
written in the memorandum that is the first assignment detailed above. It will be
necessary for the group to negotiate a shared vision of the program based upon their
individual submissions. The group will create the agenda for the meeting as well as a
set of notes for the chairperson. The notes should not only outline the objectives of
each component of the meeting but also prepare the chairperson to conduct the
meeting with ease and assurance. The group will role play the “coaching” with
members of the group rotating as the chairperson so that every member of the group
has a chance to serve as a coach. The role plays will be presented on March 30 along
with the written material—the chairperson’s annotated agenda.
4. On April 27, the last day of class, in the same small group, referred to above, you will
present the training program of either donors or solicitors that you outlined in your
memorandum. You will utilize all of the tools for modern presentation that are at
your disposal. The training program requires that you provide an orientation to the
Jewish values that are fulfilled through the work of the agency and the classic texts in
which those essential values are found. Additionally, you should provide a brief
history of the agency as well as the service it provides in the modern Jewish
community. The presentation should have a skill development component. Finally,
you should present the material in a dynamic, interactive way to equip both donors
and solicitors to use their new-found knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to solicit the
support of others.
On the following pages are listed the topics that we will cover as well as some of the
readings for which you will be responsible. Additional hand-outs will be distributed during
the course of the semester.
N.B. IF YOU ARE A STUDENT WITH A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY ON
RECORD AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY AND WISH TO HAVE A
Spring, 2009
HRNS 239B: History and Philosophy of Jewish Philanthropy and Fundraising
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REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION MADE FOR YOU IN THIS CLASS,
PLEASE SEE ME IMMEDIATELY.
You are expected to be honest in all of you academic work. The University policy on
academic honesty is distributed annually as section 5 of the Rights and Responsibilities
handbook. Instances of alleged dishonesty will be forwarded to the Office of Campus
Life for possible referral tot he Student Judicial System. Potential sanctions include
failure in the course and suspension from the University. If you have any questions
about my expectations, please ask.
Spring, 2009
HRNS 239B: History and Philosophy of Jewish Philanthropy and Fundraising
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Unit I: Introduction
Tuesday, January 20
Purpose, Outline, Framework of the Course
The Dialectic of Jewish Literature
1. The Development of the Oral Tradition
2. The Core Values
3. How to Give a D’var Torah: A Beginners Guide by Richard J. Israel
4. Tzedakah: The Highest Mitzvah by Laurence J. Rubinstein
5. Personal and Professional Priorities in Jewish Communal Service by Norman Linzer
6. Selections from Understanding American Jewish Philanthropy edited by Marc Lee
Raphael
•
Fund-Raiser Par Excellence by Charles E. Schulman
•
Parlor Meetings by Bram Goldsmith
•
Worker Training for Face-to-Face Solicitation by Frederick P. Rose
•
Overseas Missions to Israel by George M. Zeltzer
•
Campaign Evaluation by Herb Garon
Unit II: Why Must One Give Tzedakah
January 26 and February 2
•
It is as important as all other mitzvot
Baba Batra 9a
Sukkah 49a
•
Because you were once strangers
Deuteronomy 24:17-18
•
To help the needy, poor, widowed, fatherless
Deuteronomy 15:7-11, 24:19
Isaiah 58:5-10
Job 29:12-19
Proverbs 14:31, 19:17, 21:13
Numbers Rabbah 5:2
Mishneh Torah 7:1
•
A Way to Pursue Peace
Isaiah 32:16-17
Micah 6:8
•
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It is the sign of a righteous person
HRNS 239B: History and Philosophy of Jewish Philanthropy and Fundraising
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Jerusalem Talmud Horayot 3
Mishneh Torah 10:1
•
To Support Those Going to Eretz Yisrael
Ezra 1:2-4
•
A Communal Obligation (if you are in a place 30+ days)
Baba Batra 8a
Mishneh Toreh 9:12,15
•
To Support Scholars
Kitzur Shulhan Arukh 34:14
•
Stewardship
Kitzur Shulhan Arukh 34:1
Unit III: How Should One Give Charity
February 9 and 23
•
Don't Harden Your Heart or Shut Your Hand
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
Bezah 32b
Mishneh Torah 7:2-3
•
Give With a Full Heart
Avot de Rabbi Natan 7
Mishneh Torah 10:2,4
Kitzur Shulhan Arukh 34:1
•
Don't Do It for Your Own Sake
Ketubot 66b-67a
•
Give Constantly
Avot de Rabbi Natan 3
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•
Giving in Secret/8 Steps of Charity
Baba Batra 9b
Mishneh Torah 10:7-14
Kitzur Shulhan Arukh 34:9, 13
•
It is a Sacred Vow
Mishneh Toreh 8:1
Unit IV: The D’var Torah
March 2
Unit V: How Much Is One Obligated To Give
March 9 and 23
•
Tithe
Leviticus 27:30-32
Numbers 18:25-29
Deuteronomy 14:22-29, 26:5-15
Ketubot 50a
Pirkei d'Rebbe Eliezer Chapter 27
Mishnah Toreh 6:1-7,13-14, 7:5
Shulhan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 249:1
•
Shmitah
Leviticus 25
•
Pe'ah
Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22
Deuteronomy 24:19-22
Ruth 2:1-6
Mishneh Pe'ah 1:1-2, 8:1-2,5-9
Shabbat 23a
Mishneh Torah 1:1-7,15
•
Other Amounts
Even The Smallest Amount
Baba Batra 10a
Gittin 7b
Kallah 2b
Mishneh Torah 7:10,8:3
Kitzur Shulhan Arukh 34:2,8
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Give a Loan
Shabbat 63a
Kitzur Shulhan Arukh 34:12
Don't Give to Impoverish Yourself
Ketbuot 67b
Unit VI: The Role and Responsibilities of the Solicitor
March 30
Baba Batra 8b-9a
Mishneh Torah 9:1-3, 5
Shabbat 118b
Unit VII: Modern Presentation Techniques:
From Chalkboard and Flip Chart to Laptop and LCD
April 6 and 20
Unit VIII: Student Presentations
Wednesday, April 27
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